Liver Cancer

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Many factors may play a role in the development of cancer. Because the liver filters blood from all parts of the body, cancer cells from elsewhere can lodge in the liver and start to grow. Cancers that begin in the gut often spread to the liver. The ability of the liver to regenerate may also be linked to the development of liver cancers.
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There are many types of liver tumours, only some of which are cancers. The most important classification is whether the tumours are benign (relatively harmless) or malignant (capable of spreading from the liver and thus more serious). Benign Tumours
Hemangioma is the most common type of benign liver tumour. It is an abnormal growth of blood vessels of the liver that begins in the fetus. More than 10% of the normal population has hemanigomas in the liver. Most people with hemangiomas have no symptoms and require no treatment. Some hemangiomas may rarely enlarge and bleed in which case they may require surgical removal.
Hepatic adenomas are benign tumours of liver cells. Most do not cause symptoms and do not require treatment. However, if they are large they may cause pain or blood loss and may need to be removed. Hepatic adenomas occur more frequently in women and seem to be triggered in some cases by the birth control pill or by pregnancy.
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a tumour-like growth of several cell types. Although FNH tumours are benign, it can be hard to distinguish them from liver cancers. Malignant Tumours
The most common form of primary liver cancer (cancer that starts in the liver) in adults is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a cancer of liver cells. This type of cancer can have different growth patterns. Some begin as a single tumour that grows larger. It may spread to other parts of the liver in later stages of the disease.
Liver cancer may also develop in more than one site in the liver and may grow into multiple tumours. This pattern is most often seen in people with liver cirrhosis.
Another liver cancer is called cholangiocarcinoma. It originates in the small bile ducts which are tubes that carry bile to the gall bladder.
Most often, however, when cancer occurs in the liver, it did not start there, but spread to the liver from a cancer that began somewhere else in the body. These types of cancers are named after the place where they began (primary site) and are considered secondary liver cancers or cancer metastases. For example, cancer that started in the lung and spread to the liver is called metastatic lung cancer with spread to the liver. Secondary liver cancers are 30 times more prevalent than primary liver cancers.
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In the absence of chronic liver disease liver cancer is rare. However, in patients with underlying liver disease, liver cancer may be quite common. The exact cause of liver cancer is not known. Scientists have identified many risk factors that can make someone more likely to develop liver cancer:

mong those with chronic liver disease, men are more likely to develop liver cancer than are women. The reason for this is unknown.

Viral infection of the liver: Chronic infection with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C may lead to the development of cancer.

Certain types of inherited liver disease such as hemochromatosis, which results in accumulation of too much iron in the liver, as well as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and tyrosinemia can lead to the development of liver cancer later in life.

Cirrhosis is the formation of scar tissue in the liver. This can often lead to cancer. Major causes of liver cirrhosis are alcohol use, chronic hepatitis B and C, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Most causes of cirrhosis are also associated with the development of liver cancer.

Alcohol: excessive alcohol use is a known risk factor for development of alcoholic cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Obesity increases the risk of liver cancer in those patients in whom it causes liver disease.

Tobacco use increases the risk of liver cancer if you already have chronic liver disease.

Anabolic steroids: long-term use of anabolic steroids can increase the risk of liver cancer.

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Primary liver cancers account for less than 1% of all cancers in North America whereas in Africa, Southeast Asia, and China, they may account for up to 50% of cancers. The high prevalence of people carrying the hepatitis B virus and having liver cirrhosis may account for this geographic discrepancy.
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The treatment of HCC depends on the stage and the speed of tumour growth. Small primary cancers of the liver are curable. Cure rates generally decrease as the tumour size increases. Treatment of liver cancer may involve surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy or liver transplantation.
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The liver is involved in approximately 1/3 of all cancers and often those that begin in the gastrointestinal tract, colon, pancreas, stomach, breast and lung. The risk factors involved in this type of liver cancer are numerous given that the cancers originate elsewhere. The prognosis for patients with secondary liver tumors depends on the primary site of malignancy. In general, patients do not live longer than one year from the diagnosis of hepatic metastases. Treatments remain unsatisfactory but include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and embolization.
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Prevention is the best defence against liver cancer. Worldwide, the most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic hepatitis B and C infection. Therefore, prevention of these forms of liver disease is important. The Canadian Liver Foundation recommends that all children as well as adults at high risk should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Since there is no vaccine against hepatitis C, it is important to prevent the spread of this disease, and to identify and assess for treatment all those who are already infected with the hepatitis C virus.
Alcohol consumption should be limited to no more than one to two standard drinks per day. Drinking alcohol every day as well as binge drinking can be harmful to your liver. If you already have a liver disease, the safest amount of alcohol is no alcohol at all.
It is important to maintain a well balanced diet and introduce exercise into your daily routine.
People at high risk of liver cancer should be screened regularly to increase the chances of early detection. Early detection of small liver cancers greatly enhances the chances of cure using techniques such as radiofrequency ablation. Everyone who is at risk for the development of primary liver cancer should undergo regular screening by ultrasonography at six monthly intervals. Finding of abnormal screening ultrasound results should prompt a visit to a liver specialist.
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This website provides useful information but is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Before acting on any of the information in Centre for Liver Diseases, consult with your doctor to make sure that it is right for you.